Wireless connection on a PC

Christian_K · #1 October 17th, 2006, 02:38 PM

Hi, a while ago I bought a USB wireless adapter with the intention of using sometime in the future for a new computer. I was wondering whether there was any other hardware needed to get a wireless connection going on my PC: a network adapter or something like that. I'm not exactly sure what I need and any help would be appreciated. (I already have a wireless router going for my laptop.)

**z1p** · #2 October 17th, 2006, 02:56 PM

Assuming you have a free USB port along with the router, it sounds like you have what you need. Just remember a wireless connection is generally less reliable than a wired connection. However, if you are using wireless for the laptop and it is working well, then the chances are the desktop will work fine. (Though personally I believe that USB network adapters are the least reliable of all, but give it a go)

Christian_K · #3 October 20th, 2006, 02:49 PM

I got it working. It works fine without any drop outs, and is always at excellent signal strength as the wireless router is right next door in the other room.

However, you say a wired connection is much more reliable, how can I go about doing this? The cable internet connection is in the other room (the cable plug, the modem and the router), so is there any way to wire it to the other computer as well, without using a wireless adaptor?

Also, just a query about the wireless connection. I was playing an online game using the computer with the wireless adaptor. When I was in the game, it all went fine until it very soon dropped out all together, and I found that the connection had disconnected. Once I closed the game, it reconnected fine. So I tried playing the game online again and the same connection dropout occured. It never drops out with normal surfing of the net, and I mean NEVER. Just when I was playing online.

**z1p** · #4 October 20th, 2006, 08:34 PM

If your PC has a network card then you can connect it to the router with an ethernet (cat5) cable. The problem I see is you end up with a cable running between the rooms. Pulling the cat5 cable through the walls is an option and is what I did for my first floor as I had access from the basement underneath.

As I said wireless is less reliable, especially with a USB adapter. It could be an issue with the router, but if it is only happening during game play I'd lean toward the issue being at the PC end. Does the game have heavy graphics?

Christian_K · #5 October 21st, 2006, 05:40 AM

Yes, this computer does have a network card so getting a Cat5 cable would be a good way to lean. However, as you mentioned, I'd have to have an ugly looking wire running through the hallway across to the next room. I could get it put through the wall, however I'd rather not go in that direction.

The router is fine, as this wireless adaptor, like I said, picks up the signal fine and always has excellent signal strength with normal internet browsing.

I think it might be the adaptor that cannot handle online play. It is a Netgear MA111v2 (11.0 mbps) wireless adaptor. I tried playing the game online again (Pro Evolution Soccer 5), and this is what happened. As the match started up, it would play smoothly and then my internet connection would drop out and quickly reconnect. This happened about 3 times within the space of 6 minutes (2 minutes after each disconnection), until the game completely kicked me out. The signal strength would not decrease, just all of a sudden disconnect for no reason then reconnect.

The game runs smoothly on my Radeon X300 Series (256mb), but I do experience some slight slow down on my 128mb graphics card on the other computer. This gives a rough estimation of what the graphics demand of the game is.

**z1p** · #6 October 21st, 2006, 04:51 PM

You may just want to try running a wired connection to eliminate or verify that it is wireless connection. Cat5 cables aren't that expensive and they can come in handy from time to time.

Christian_K · #7 October 21st, 2006, 06:08 PM

I will look into that. Thanks.

Jim Smith · #8 October 22nd, 2006, 03:07 AM

I too would try the wired connection for a while to see how it compares. I punched holes in two walls near the floor and outside wall to run an Ethernet cable between two rooms and have no regrets. That was when wireless was expensive.